Quick answer: Dhanteras 2026 falls on Friday 6 November 2026 in the UK, opening the five days of Diwali. Narak Chaturdashi is Saturday 7 November, Diwali / Lakshmi Puja is Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj Tuesday 10 November. The Dhanteras puja is done after local sunset (about 4:25 PM in London). Because 2026 has an extra lunar month, Diwali week is roughly three weeks later than last year.

What is Dhanteras?

Dhanteras, or Dhantrayodashi, takes its name from "dhan" (wealth) and "teras" (the thirteenth lunar day). It celebrates the appearance of Lord Dhanvantari, the divine physician, carrying the pot of amrit from the churning of the ocean, and it is a day to honour Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera for prosperity. It is also the traditional day to buy something new in metal for the home: gold, silver, a brass or steel vessel.

For British Hindus, Dhanteras is about more than shopping: health (Dhanvantari), prosperity (Lakshmi and Kubera), a fresh start to the festive week and a chance to pass traditions on to British-born children. For the whole festival week see Diwali 2026 in the UK and our main Dhanteras 2026 guide.

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Dhanteras 2026 in the UK at a glance

DayDate (UK)
DhanterasFriday 6 November
Narak ChaturdashiSaturday 7 November
Diwali / Lakshmi PujaSunday 8 November
Govardhan PujaMonday 9 November
Bhai DoojTuesday 10 November

Puja timing: after local sunset

Dhanteras puja and the Yama deepam are performed in the Pradosh Kaal, which begins at local sunset. Sunset on Friday 6 November 2026:

CitySunset, 6 Nov 2026
London4:25 PM
Leicester4:25 PM
Birmingham4:29 PM

Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset; confirm the exact muhurat for your city (including Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh) on Drik Panchang. Shopping can be done at any time on the day; you do not need to buy only during the puja window.

What to buy on Dhanteras

  • Gold: a coin, ring, chain, bangle or pendant, however small, is the classic purchase.
  • Silver: coins, a small Lakshmi-Ganesha murti, a silver diya or puja items.
  • Brass, copper or steel: a new kalash, lota, thali or cooking vessel is traditional and affordable.
  • New broom: in many families a broom is bought to "sweep away" poverty.
  • Practical purchases: many families time a planned purchase of an appliance, gadget or vehicle for Dhanteras.
  • Knowledge: books or educational items for children are a lovely modern tradition.

What matters is the intention, not the price. Buy within your budget; a steel spoon bought with devotion carries the same blessing as an expensive piece of jewellery.

Festive offers: how to judge them

Around Diwali, UK jewellers, Asian retailers, department stores and online marketplaces often run festive promotions: reduced making charges, gift coins with larger purchases, exchange schemes for old gold, bank or card cashback and interest-free credit. These change from year to year and from shop to shop, so we do not list specific discounts. Instead:

  • Compare the price per gram of gold on the day, then compare the making charge separately; a big "percent off" headline can hide a high base price.
  • Ask about buy-back and exchange terms before you buy.
  • Read the terms of any "free gift" or minimum-spend offer.
  • With buy-now-pay-later or 0% credit, check what happens if you miss a payment, and stay within budget.
  • If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is; buy from established, reputable sellers.

Where British Hindus shop

The UK's Asian shopping streets come alive in Diwali week, with jewellers, saree and suit boutiques, sweet shops and grocers selling diyas, rangoli colours and puja items.

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  • Leicester, Belgrave Road (the Golden Mile): one of the best-known Asian high streets in Britain, with many jewellers, clothing and sweet shops close to several temples.
  • Southall (West London): The Broadway and South Road for gold, fashion and food.
  • Wembley, Ealing Road: jewellers, bridal and festive wear, grocers and sweet shops.
  • Green Street, East London: a long-established Asian fashion and jewellery street.
  • Hatton Garden, London: the traditional jewellery quarter, useful for comparing prices.
  • Birmingham and Bradford: Asian shopping streets with jewellers and clothing stores serving the Midlands and Yorkshire.

Expect crowds in the evening and at the weekend. Shopping earlier in the week, or in the afternoon, usually means better availability and calmer service.

Smart and safe gold buying

  • Check the UK hallmark: the sponsor's mark, the fineness mark (for example 375 for 9ct, 750 for 18ct, 916 for 22ct) and the assay office mark.
  • For imported Indian jewellery, a BIS mark is useful, but UK law still requires a UK hallmark for gold sold here above the exemption weight.
  • Ask for an itemised, VAT receipt showing weight, carat and making charge.
  • Weigh the piece in front of you and confirm the exchange and buy-back policy.
  • Insure valuable jewellery and keep receipts safely (digital and paper).
  • For coins and bars as an investment, The Royal Mint and established bullion dealers are the usual routes.

Your consumer rights

  • Online and phone purchases: you generally have 14 days to cancel after delivery, with exceptions for personalised or made-to-order items.
  • Faulty goods: under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you have 30 days to reject faulty goods for a refund, and further rights to repair or replacement after that.
  • Accurate descriptions: goods must match their description; Trading Standards and Citizens Advice can help if they do not.
  • VAT: jewellery prices include VAT; qualifying investment gold is VAT-exempt.

How to celebrate Dhanteras at home

  • Clean the house, especially the entrance, and draw a rangoli or place lakshmi charan (footprints) at the door.
  • Light a diya at the entrance in the evening; many families also light the Yama deepam, a four-wick lamp facing south, to ward off untimely death.
  • After sunset, offer prayers to Lord Dhanvantari for health, then to Lakshmi and Kubera; place your new purchase near the altar for blessing.
  • Offer flowers, kumkum, sweets and a ghee lamp, perform aarti and share prasad.

Simple mantras

  • Lakshmi: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah".
  • Kubera: "Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhana Dhanyadhipataye Namah".
  • Dhanvantari: "Om Dhanvantaraye Namah".

Temples to visit

Many British Hindus combine shopping with a temple visit. Well-known temples include the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, Bhaktivedanta Manor (ISKCON) in Hertfordshire, Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir in Wembley and Shree Sanatan Mandir in Leicester, with mandirs in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and most UK towns. Temples typically hold aarti, bhajans and Lakshmi puja in Diwali week, but programmes change every year, so check your local temple for its 2026 plans. Our guide Diwali 2026 UK has more on city celebrations.

Eco-friendly Dhanteras

  • Choose recycled gold or lab-grown diamonds if you prefer, and reusable shopping bags.
  • Use clay diyas and natural rangoli colours (rice flour, turmeric, flower petals).
  • Buy energy-efficient appliances if replacing old ones, and donate usable old items.

Dhanteras 2026 checklist

  • A week before: set a budget, compare prices and order anything online for delivery before 6 November.
  • The day before: clean the house, buy diyas, flowers and sweets, and prepare the altar.
  • Friday 6 November: shop, visit a temple if you can, light the entrance lamp and do the puja after local sunset.
  • Then prepare for Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November.

For the main night see Lakshmi Puja 2026, and for the following days Bhai Dooj 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dhanteras 2026 in the UK?

Dhanteras 2026 is on Friday 6 November in the UK. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) follows on Sunday 8 November, with Govardhan Puja on Monday 9 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November.

What is the Dhanteras puja time in London?

Dhanteras puja is done in the Pradosh Kaal after local sunset. In London and Leicester the sun sets at about 4:25 PM on 6 November, and in Birmingham at about 4:29 PM. Confirm the exact muhurat for your city on Drik Panchang.

Which Dhanteras offers are available in the UK this year?

We do not list specific discounts because they change constantly and cannot be verified in advance. Check retailers directly in the weeks before 6 November, compare the gold price per gram and the making charge, and be wary of offers that look too good to be true.

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Can I buy gold online for Dhanteras in the UK?

Yes. Use reputable jewellers or bullion dealers, check that jewellery is UK hallmarked, keep your receipt and order early enough for delivery before 6 November. For most online purchases you have a 14-day cancellation right.

Is VAT charged on gold in the UK?

Gold jewellery includes VAT. Gold that qualifies as investment gold under HMRC rules (such as high-purity bars and certain coins) is exempt from VAT. Ask the seller which category your purchase falls into.

Is Dhanteras a public holiday in the UK?

No. Many British Hindus take annual leave or shop and do the puja after work; because sunset is early in November, an evening puja fits comfortably after the working day.

Editor's note (4 October 2026)

Updated for 2026. UK dates follow Drik Panchang (Dhanteras Friday 6 November, Diwali Sunday 8 November). Sunset times are local for 6 November. We have removed the previous edition's specific retailer discounts, bank offers, prices, statistics and muhurat times, which cannot be verified for 2026; check retailers directly and confirm puja timings for your city on Drik Panchang.